Witham travelled to Panfield to play last years promotion rivals. Witham were still missing long term injuries Jamie Adams and Jack Stoneham from the pitch but as ever Jack was there to give his support. Humphrys was suspended after his red card and Jamie Panting was also missing through illness or self inflicted illness im not sure :) and Johnson returned to the side after a good performance last week.
The game was messy at the start with the grass overgrown it was difficult to string passes together (maybe this was a tactic to stop Witham playing there usual passing game!) Witham however tested the Panfield keeper early on when Yeo shot from the edge of the box with his left foot but the keeper got down well to hold his shot. on 12 minutes Witham took the lead when Stonehams 20 yard pass found Johnson out on the left and his first touch was superb which helped him cut in front of his man and he nut megged the keeper from 10 yards. Panfield reacted straight away when a bobbly ball was not dealt with well by Witham and Ahern caught his man just inside the box and the ref pointed to the penalty spot. The penalty was struck well into the bottom left hand corner giving Cannock no chance and the game was level. The game was still patchy but Witham looked more dangerous in attack and had it not been for the oppositions centre back (number 4) who was intercepting various balls attempted from Johnson and Orr Galacticos could have taken the lead. At the other end Panfield were pressing out wide and overloading the full backs but Murphy and Ahern made some vital interceptions of there own. Witham then had 2 good chances both from corners when Murphy missed a header and Yeo's shot on the turn went wide after Aherns good header at the back post. Jackson then made a good run down the right and got in behind the full back but his cross was met comfortably by the Panfields centre back.
HALF TIME PANFIELD BELL 1 WITHAM GALACTICOS 1
Witham had instructions to keep probing away at the Panfield back four knowing they would struggle with our high intensity and also the early goal was vital in opening them up. Witham got that just 3 minutes into the second half when Johnson's neat ball found the run of Yeo in behind and his pace took him away from the centre back and as he entered the box he coolly slotted the ball home into the bottom right hand corner. Panfield now opened up and Witham looked dangerous in every attack with Johnson dictating and Lawes finding room out wide. On 55 minutes Johnson again found Yeo in behind but the keeper just beat him to the ball and a minute later Johnson was again provider when his ball in behind was swept up by the impressive keeper with Lawes ready to pounce. On 68 minutes it was 3 - 1 when Lawes got in behind down the left and burst 30 yards in at goal and just as he looked ready to pull the trigger he squared it 5 yards to Johnson who was on hand to tap home from 6 yards. Witham had chances to finish the game off, Johnson nearly got his hat trick when Yeo found his run he rounded the keeper but at an angle he cut back past the defender but his shot was well saved at point blank range. Jackson was next but he just failed to connect with a corner. Whipps then made a superb interception in his own half and burst in from the left but his ball across the 6 yard box was scrambled clear. On 76 minutes Panfield grabbed a lifeline when a seemingly poor ball was delivered both Whipps and Cannock come to deal with it with Whipps just beating the keeper to it with his challenge but it fell nicely to the Bell's striker who tapped in from 2 yards. The Panfield team was unable to push on for an equaliser with a couple of the players struggling with cramp and injuries it was Witham who still pushed forward trying to expose this. A counter attack by Witham should have ended in the fourth goal when Johnson played Holder in but his shot was straight at the keeper. On 80 minutes it was Lawes who killed the game off when he again burst in behind down the left picked out by Yeo and from 12 yards out he chipped the ball over the keeper to make it 4-2. It was a superb finish considering the game was still 3-2 and with Johnson ready to tap home as he supported Lawes with his run on goal but there was no unselfishness from Lawes this time. Witham pressed forward against a side conceding defeat and Johnson nearly got his hat trick when Lawes pulled the ball back to him but his shot from 10 yards was well saved. Lawes was then close to grabbing his second of the game but his shot was well well saved. In the end the whistle went and it was only 4 goals for Witham but another valuable 3 points
FINAL SCORE PANFIELD BELL 2 WITHAM GALACTICOS 4
Another 3 points gained and still top of the league. Its difficult to judge how well we could have played today considering the condition of the pitch and our usual style of football but as ever we showed our determination to get 3 points especially in the second half. I think both Ahern and Whipps showed there commitment with a real spirited second half performance from the pair considering the pressure they was under in the first half and Murphy again as consistent as ever with a rock solid performance at the back. Stoneham was as ever full of legs and put himself about to minimise the impact of Panfields large numbers going forward. Lawes was impressive down the left hand side with a real gutsy display, he showed real determination in defending and supporting his full back and some excellence going forward by continually getting in behind the defence and this was rewarded with an assist and a superb goal. Man of the match was Johnson who throughout was a threat, his touch on a terrible pitch was excellent and he was at the heart of all our attacks, his efforts were rewarded with 2 goals and an assist. Now if we can put this determination together with some clever football and clinical finishing we will only get better and we know these assets are within us...........TOP TOP TOP OF THE LEAGUE : )
